FAQ - Abortion

1. “Will it hurt?”

With the medical abortion procedure (abortion pill), you may feel some discomfort and cramping. With the surgical procedure, you will be given a mild sedative to reduce anxiety and local anesthetics. You may still feel some discomfort, pressure, and pain.

2. “Will my baby feel it?”

It is possible for the fetus to feel pain during the abortion. Pain receptors begin developing at 4 weeks. The fetus is growing rapidly between 4 and 20 weeks which allows the fetus to respond to touch and sensation. At 20 weeks, all of the physiological connections are in place for the fetus to feel pain.

3. “What is the difference between the morning-after pill and the abortion pill?”

The morning-after pill is a method used to prevent pregnancy. It may cause a very early abortion if fertilization has already occurred. The most common morning-after pill is known as Plan B. It must be taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex. There are side effects and risks with the morning-after pill.

The abortion pill is a method used to terminate an early pregnancy. The two abortion pills typically used are Mifeprex and Cytotec. It must be taken within 49 days of the start of your last menstrual period. There are side effects and risks with the abortion pill.

4. “How long does it take?”

If there are no complications or issues, the medical abortion procedure will take one week in its entirety. Read more about the medical abortion here.

If there are no complications or issues, the surgical abortion appointment will take 3-4 hours. The actual abortion procedure only takes 5-10 minutes for first-trimester patients and 15-20 minutes for second-trimester patients.

5. “People are pressuring me to have an abortion, what do I do?”

If you are feeling pressured to have an abortion, seek help from someone you trust. If you do not have a trusted family member or friend, there are staff and volunteers at pregnancy centers that are willing to talk to you. The conversation will be confidential and non-judgmental.

6. “Can I change my mind?”

You can change your mind right up to the start of the abortion procedure if you are not 100% certain that you want an abortion. Once the abortion procedure has begun, you cannot change your mind. An abortion is an irreversible decision.

7. “Are there any risks involved with having an abortion?”

Yes, there are both physically and emotional risks.

There are physical risks with any surgical procedure. You may experience any of these complications from an abortion procedure: infection, uterine or cervical damage, placenta previa, pelvic inflammatory disease, retained products of conception (fetal parts, placenta, umbilical cord, or amniotic sac), future ectopic (tubal) pregnancy, and future premature birth.

The most common emotional risk related to abortion is Post-Abortion Stress. Some women and men may experience strong negative disturbances soon after the abortion or several months / years later. It varies from person to person.

8. “If I have an abortion, am I at-risk for breast cancer later on in life?”

It is possible that you may become at a higher risk for breast cancer later in life if you have had an abortion. Induced abortion does not allow excess estrogen hormones to be released naturally. The excess estrogen left in your breasts after an induced abortion can potentially cause the growth of abnormal (cancer) cells.

9. “Can I still have children after an abortion?”

An abortion may increase the risk of infertility and the ability to carry the baby full-term. Multiple abortions increase the risk of infertility due to the potential uterine and cervical damage.

10. “Will I get depressed?”

Women have varying emotional responses following an abortion. These reactions may be immediate or occur years later. Emotional responses vary depending on a woman’s age, stage of pregnancy, religious or cultural beliefs, previous mental health, or whether she is being pressured by others into having an abortion. An abortion decision can affect both the man and the woman.